The reverse which thereupon took place in their minds, fell heavily on
those who had taken the most active part of the business of selling their
country. Cornplanter, having borne a prominent part in these proceedings,
fell deeply under the displeasure of his people. Their displeasure was so
marked as to lead him to cast about for some means of relief. Aware of the
credulity and superstition of his people, he resolved to avail himself of
these characteristics of his nation, to accomplish the end he had in view.
For this purpose he was in consultation with his brother Ga-ne-o-di-yo,
who on one occasion terminated a scene of great dissipation, by the
announcement that he had been delegated by the Great Spirit, with a new
revelation, and with supernatural gifts. A severe illness became the
occasion during which he made a visit to the unseen world, where visions
and revelations of a most extraordinary nature, had been made known to
him. The happiness of the good, and the tortures of the wicked, had thus
become matters of personal observation. The announcement of these, in
language and gesture indicating his assurance of their reality, gained for
him credence among the people, as well as chiefs of his nation, and he was
received as a prophet.
His earliest attempts were successful in accomplishing a desirable reform,
especially among the Onondagas, the most profligate of the Six Nations,
from the degrading vice of intemperance.
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